Poor-quality medical research: what can journals do?

Journal article

The aim of medical research is to advance scientific knowledge and hence--directly or indirectly--lead to improvements in the treatment and prevention of disease. Each research project should continue systematically from previous research and feed into future research. Each project should contribute beneficially to a slowly evolving body of research. A study should not mislead; otherwise it could adversely affect clinical practice and future research. In 1994 I observed that research papers commonly contain methodological errors, report results selectively, and draw unjustified conclusions. Here I revisit the topic and suggest how journal editors can help.

Authors: Altman, D

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: JAMA
• Volume: 287
• Issue: 21
• Pages: 2765-2767
• Publication date: 2002-06-01
• DOI: 10.1001/jama.287.21.2765
• EISSN: 1538-3598
• ISSN: 0098-7484
• Language: English
• Keywords: Research Design; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Peer Review, Research; Publication Bias